That's a well-organized one-stop source for Australian cinema. I loved watching the clips from BLISS (1985), a wonderful little satire that I saw a 35mm print of when first released and just once more on VHS a few years later. Would love to have a Blu-ray of it.

charal wrote:Has anyone ever seen 27A? It looks interesting to me. I can't find any evidence of VHS or DVD versions out there. Does anyone know if Umbrella/Roadshow hold the rights?

I was surprised to see that PURE SHIT (1975) was released 2 years ago. Is this film worth looking into? I've heard people say it is a lost classic.

I vaguely recall 27A having an ABC tv screening in the late 70s. I don't recall seeing it, but Esben is an interesting character in less mainstream/"indie" OZ cinema, both "golden age" and later. His performance as the lead is the most redeeming feature of Hayden Keenan's chaotic but train-wreck-compulsive Going Down. Esben of course died earlier this year far too young.. from imdb search he appears to have kept his hand in the movies, even as the Oz film scene was getting more and more formuulaic and Arts Council/State Film Body nazified. But his TV work over decades seems to be the rent payer.

I bought the Pure Shit DVD when it came out. Much as I have the deepest respect for Bert Deling (and his old buddy John Flaus and the whole original Melbourne cinephile movement from the 50s and 60s) I frankly find Pure Shit a real slog. It's the first Oz heroin subject based movie, if you can call that a plus (This seems to have become a sub genre in the 90s/early 2000s to the point of total tedium.)

None of Esben Storm's features as director are available on DVD. I watched In Search of Anna just after he died - on an ex-rental VHS copy. It's an interesting movie, and particularly recommended for fans of anti-chronological narrative.

I haven't seen 27A so can't comment. It never had a UK release of any kind.

I pre-ordered Brook's MARAT /SADE (1966) from Umbrella [due out in March] but for some strange reason it arrived today in the post [3 weeks early]. I was expecting a 4:3 non-anamorphic travesty (Viz R1 NTSC) but was surprised to find a stunning, impeccable 16:9 transfer. What puzzles me is the fact that this DVD is out of print in the US and not out at all in the UK. So why is it out in Oz-Down-under?

The disc is typical of Umbrella's recent releases. Bare-bones, auto-starting with no chapter selection (despite having chapter stops) and no menu page at all.

Re: R2. Could our friends at the BFI be contemplating this 'avant Garde' film as a future Flipside release? After all they have previously released an MGM film [BED SITTING ROOM] in the series and I think this transfer looks better than most of their recent Blu Ray releases.

p.s. Since the print used has no 'cigarette burns' [reel markers] and no scratches, etc. I assume it was struck from the negative and probably restored also!

His more sexually orientated film from 1976 THE TRESPASSERS may also come out on Umbrella in the near future. Here is a sampler of that film: http://aso.gov.au/titles/features/trespassers/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That wasn't me, though I did think the chance of them sending review copies to me in the UK was probably zero... I guess I'd better save up for them as I can't see much chance of seeing 27A or the two Haydn Keenan films otherwise.

Mouth to Mouth had a UK television screening on Channel 4 in the late 80s IIRC, which is when I saw it. If memory serves it's very good. Nice to see that and other John Duigan films getting a release. He was born in the UK, by the way, in Hartley Wintney, which is not very far away from where I live.

I also remember that when every time a Duigan film used to play the London Film festival, the souvenir booklet's Duigan filmography always used to misspell the title as Month by Month.

Perkins Cobb wrote:Terrific news - Mouth to Mouth is a rare and important one.

Incidentally, I know someone who has tried at length and so far unsuccessfully to coax DVDs of those two Esben Storm films out of Smart Street, so ... good luck, I guess.

I checked them out again and they've moved from their old Bondi address to the Fox backlot at Moore Park. I think your friend should check international time diff and ring them AEST during business hours - tel is +612 9356 4500.

MOUTH TO MOUTH came in the post today. The transfer was done with the involvement of both Duigan and Cowan (as the included interviews suggest) but it is a bit soft on detail. The first reels have too much red tone which turns skin tones pinkish but it gets better as the film progresses. I assume this is the best we will get (for now). It is 16:9 anamorphic. Despite this it is a much better film than FJ HOLDEN - a film with themes and characters in common.

I remember seeing it on TV c.1980 but forgot the details with the exception of the scene of the two girls singing Ave Maria. In some ways the film reminded me of the Finnish film RED RIDING HOOD [Bergholm, 1968] in which ex-reform girls are also featured. The ending with one of the girls on a Melbourne street at night with the beautiful theme song playing over is one of the best film endings of any Australian film I have seen. [Don't ask me why, it just felt and looked right.]

If there are further discounted tieups with JB or whoever this could be even less making it a comparable buy to the UK box at circa 97 quid (which I currently have on order like everyone. )
One thing: Universal UK are normally Region fixed "B". Same thing may apply here if it's a port so offshore fixed Rehgion "A" people be cautious.

If there are further discounted tieups with JB or whoever this could be even less making it a comparable buy to the UK box at circa 97 quid (which I currently have on order like everyone. )
One thing: Universal UK are normally Region fixed "B". Same thing may apply here if it's a port so offshore fixed Rehgion "A" people be cautious.